Modular toy system for building child forts or other play spaces

ABSTRACT

A children&#39;s fort unit includes a first panel comprising a front and a first side permanently joined together and moveable relative to one another along a hinging crease and a second panel comprising a back and a second side permanently joined together and moveable relative to one another along a hinging crease. The fort unit also includes a roof section that includes a hinging crease that allows the roof to fold. The first panel is sized and configured to be releasably joined to the second panel and the roof section is sized and configured to be joined to both the first and second panels.

DOMESTIC PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/549,146, filed Aug. 23, 2017 and entitled “MODULAR TOY SYSTEM FORBUILDING CHILD FORTS OR OTHER PLAY SPACES” which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of children's toys and, inparticular, to a modular system to build forts or other play spaces forchildren.

Many children build forts that can used as play spaces to enactimaginary scenarios, for example. The forts can be over varying size andcomplexity. In many cases, the forts are formed by using pieces offurniture, such as couches, tables and chairs, and bed sheets or otherfabric as the materials for the fort. The “hard” building material(e.g., couches and chairs) are moved to desired. locations and then thechild can place the sheets or other fabric over them to create a tort ortent like structure into which they can enter.

Another possible manner to form forts is to use boxes. The choices offort configurations are limited to by the size and shape of the boxes.Of course, using a knife or scissors could allow for some flexibilitybut many or most parents do not want their children to have access tosuch dangerous implements.

Some approaches taken in the past provided pre-formed portions of thefort that a child will need parental assistance to assemble anddisassemble. Such parent interaction can make the fort less useful inthe context of independent child play.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a modular fort toy. The toy can be used as a standalonefort unit or joined to other fort units. The fort can be included as anassembly that includes outer holding element (e.g., a bag or box) thatcontains certain pre-formed pieces that can be assembled by a child withor without adult help.

In one embodiment, a fort unit is disclosed. The fort unit includes afirst panel comprising a front and a first side permanently joinedtogether and moveable relative to one another along a hinging crease anda second panel comprising a back and a second side permanently joinedtogether and moveable relative to one another along a hinging crease.The fort unit also includes a roof section that includes a hingingcrease that allows the roof to fold. The first panel is sized andconfigured to be releasably joined to the second panel and the roofsection is sized and configured to be joined to both the first andsecond panels.

Another embodiment is directed that includes a container for containingthe first and second panels and the roof of the above describedembodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way.With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numberedalike:

FIGS. 1A and 1B show perspective views of a fort according to oneembodiment from front and rear views, respectively;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first panel of a fort according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second panel of a fort according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a floor of a fort according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a roof section of a fort according to oneembodiment; and

FIG. 6 shows an assembly for a fort unit according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosedapparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification andnot limitation with reference to the Figures.

As discussed generally above, it may be desirable to provide a toy thatpermits the child to expand his fort building capabilities into avariety of configurations without the need to use sharp or otherwisepossibly dangerous implements. Embodiments herein may provide a fortbuild to system that includes fort units that can be formed and unformedeasily and by hand. This can be accomplished, in one embodiment, byproviding fort units having panels or other elements that include one ormore fastening elements, such as magnets or hook and loop (Velcro)fasteners that allow the fort unit to easily be formed/unformed. Thefastening elements can also be arranged to allow fort unit to beconnected to one another.

At least one of the fort units can be assembled as a series of connectedpanels that can fasten, unfasten, and refasten in one or more patternsto create any number of play fort structures and designs. The panels canbe formed of cardboard or other semi-rigid or rigid materials.

In one embodiment, a toy includes a single fort unit. Such a unit caninclude as few three panels. In another, multiple fort units areprovided. One or more of the units can be fastened to an adjacent fortunit by the fastening elements on the panels. Such an embodiment allowsfor the creation of larger play fort structures and designs.

As will be clear to the skilled artisan based on the disclosure herein,utilization of the releasable fastening elements allows for each unit toeasily assemble and collapse a limitless number of times and that eachunit folds for easy storage.

In one embodiment, one or both of the front and backside of each panelcan be formed with or otherwise coated with a medium to a high glosssurface. Gloss surface will enable dry erase marker decoration andsuction cup adhesion.

In one embodiment, the panels may be formed of or coated with a materialthat allows for decorations or decals to be attached to. In oneembodiments the decorations/decals are formed of one or more reusable,decorative decals that can be attached to interior and exterior panels.The decorations/decals may also be unfastened and refastened a limitlessnumber of times. Adhesive may or may not be static cling material ormagnetic or by other fastening means as the situation dictates. Suchdecals may enable box fort users to change the exterior and interiorappearance of the box fort a limitless number of times. Exteriorappearance examples may include: a Fire station, a Police station; aSchool; a Restaurant; a Market; a House or other dwelling; a Club house;an Airport, a Movie Theatre, a Castle; and Log cabin to name but a few.

Further, interior appearance examples can include any of the exteriorthemes described above as would be embodied in an interior of such adwelling or location. In addition, interior decorations/decals couldalso include decals in the likes of a: Refrigerator; Stove; Sink;Cabinets; Toilet; Shower; Sink; Mirror; TV; Couch; Arm Chair; Bookcase;Bed; Closet; Nightstands; Lamps; Potted Plants; Frames—can be used toframe real photo; Floor Lamp; Dinner table/chairs; and/or Chandelier toname but few.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an example of an assembled fort 100 according toone embodiment in both a front (FIG. 1A) and a rear (FIG. 1B) view. Thefort 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B includes a front 102 and a firstside wall 104. The fort 100 also includes a back 106 and a second sidewall 108. In one embodiment, the front 102 is integrally formed with thefirst side wall 104 in a hinged relationship. Alternatively, the front102 is integrally formed with the second side wall 108 in a hingedrelationship. As shown, the front 102 includes an optional door 112formed therein that can move relative to the front 102 to allow oringress/egress form the fort 100.

Regardless, the front 102 and the first side 104 are joined together ina permanent fashion and can be formed, for example, from a single pieceof card board that is creased at a hinge location 120 to forming ahinging crease (or simple “crease) to allow for folding of the front 102relative to the first side 104. Similarly, the back 106 and the secondside 108 are joined together in a permanent fashion and can be formed,for example, from a single piece of card board that is creased at ahinge location 122 to allow for folding of the front relative to thesecond side 108. Of course, in another embodiment, the front 102 couldbe joined to the second side 108 and the back joined to first side 104.

As more full described below, the front 102 can include one morefastening elements (not shown) that allow it to be releasable joined tothe second side 108 and the back 106 can include one more fasteningelements (not shown) that allow it to be releasable joined to the firstside 104. In this manner, four side walls of the fort 100 can be definedand form a free standing structure. The joined four sides can define afootprint and a floor in the shape of the footprint can be provided.

The fort in FIGS. 1A and 1B also includes a roof section 110. The roofsection 110 as illustrated includes first and second sections 110 a/110b that are joined together in a permanent fashion and can be formed, forexample, from a single piece of card board that is creased. The roof 110can be releasable joined to the first side 104 and the second side 108with one more fastening elements (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a first sheet 200 that includes the firstfront 102 and the first side 104. The front 102, as above, includes adoor 112. As shown the front 102 is permanently connected to the firstside 104 along a crease line 120. The crease line 120 allows the firstside to be folded at least from the flat configuration shown in FIG. 2to a position where it is disposed at or about 90 degrees relative tothe front as shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the crease allows thefirst side 104 to be folded over the front 102 as indicated by arrow Aso that it lies on top of it to reduce a storage size of the first sheet200.

As illustrated, the front 102 includes a rectangular base section 210and a triangular peak section 212. Two of the edges of the peak section212 include foldable flaps or ears 214 that can be folded down toprovide support for the roof section 110 (FIG. 1). The front 102 alsoincludes at least one foldable ear 216 that can fold over and be joinedto, for example, the second side 108 of FIG. 1 via a releasable fastenersuch as a hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro). The first side 104 canalso include a rectangular base that includes one or more ears 218 alongits edges.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a second sheet 220 that includes the back106 and the second side 108. As shown the back 106 is permanentlyconnected to the second side 108 along a crease line 122. The creaseline 122 allows the second side 108 to be folded at least from the flatconfiguration shown in FIG. 3 to a position where it is disposed at orabout 90 degrees relative to the back 106 as shown in FIG. 1B. In oneembodiment, the crease 122 allows the second side 108 to be folded overthe back 106 as indicated by arrow B so that it lies on top of it toreduce a storage size of the second sheet 220.

As illustrated, the back 104 includes a rectangular base section 230 anda triangular peak section 232. Two of the edges of the peak section 212include foldable flaps or ears 224 that can be folded down to providesupport for the roof section 110 (FIG. 1). The back 230 also includes atleast one foldable ear 236 that can fold over and be joined to, forexample, the first side 104 of FIG. 1 via a releasable fastener such asa hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro). The second side 108 can alsoinclude a rectangular base that includes one or more ears 238 along itsedges.

In one embodiment, the ear 238 on the second side 108 can be permanentlyjoined to the front 104.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a floor section 400. FIG. 4 is discussedwith additional reference to FIGS. 1A-1B. The floor section 400 includesa floor region 402 with two or more foldable ears 404. The floor region402 has the same shape as the footprint defined by the front 102, thefirst side 104, the back 106 and the second side 108.

The ears 404 can fold upwards toward the middle of the floor section asshow, for example, by arrow C. As shown, three ears 404-404 c areprovided and, are sized arranged to mate with the first side 104, theback and the second side 106, respectively. In use, the ears 404 can beinside of the walls 104, 108 or outside of them. One or more releasableconnectors can be attached to the ears 404 to mate with correspondingreleasable connectors on the sides/back.

For clarity in the FIGs. contained herein, the releasable connectors aregenerally shown by a reference character x. It shall be understood thatexact location of the releasable connectors x can be varied. It shallfurther be understood that the releasable connectors x can be on eitherone two opposing sides of the flat sections shown in the FIGs. Thereleasable connectors x can be formed of a hook and loop fastener suchas Velcro. Of course, other types of releasable connectors x can be usedwith the sections shown herein.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the roof section 110. The roof section 110includes first and second sections 110 a, 110 b separated by a fold lineor crease 504 that allows the roof section 110 to fold. The fold isarranged so that the roof section can overlie the triangular sections212, 232 of the front 102 and the back 106.

The roof section 110 can include ears 502. These ears made with portionsof the front 102 and back 106 and include one or more releasableconnectors x. In particular, the first section includes ears 502 a-502 cwhere, in use, ear 502 a is used to form a connection to the front 102,ear 502 b is used to form a connection to the first side 104 and ear 502c to form a connection to the back 104. Similarly, the section sectionincludes ears 502 d-502 f where, in use, ear 502 d is used to form aconnection to the front 102, ear 502 e is used to form a connection tothe second side 104 and ear 502 f to form a connection to the back 104.It should be understood, however, that not all of the ears described maybe needed. For example, ears 502 a and 502 c can be omitted in oneembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, embodiments herein can includes a kit 600 thatincludes a holding element 602 such as a box or a bag, and at least onefirst sheet 200, at least one second sheet 220 and at least one roofsection 110. The kit 600 can optionally include a floor section 400 andother sections generally shown by reference numerals 604 and 606.

The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associatedwith measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipmentavailable at the time of filing the application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentdisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to anexemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents maybe substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made toadapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the presentdisclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated forcarrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosurewill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A children's fort unit comprising: a first panelcomprising a front and a first side permanently joined together andmoveable relative to one another along a hinging crease; a second panelcomprising a back and a second side permanently joined together andmoveable relative to one another along a hinging crease; and a roofsection, the roof section including a hinging crease that allows theroof to fold; wherein the first panel s sized and configured to bereleasably joined to the second panel and the roof section is sized andconfigured to be joined to both the first and second panels.
 2. The fortunit of claim 1, wherein the first and second panels are formed ofcardboard material.
 3. The fort unit of claim 1, wherein when joined,the first and second panels define a footprint of a fort.
 4. The fortunit of claim 3, further comprising: a floor sized to be releasablyconnected to the first and second sections, the floor having a floorregion having a same shape as a shape of the footprint.
 5. The fort unitof claim 4, wherein the floor includes three ears extending outward fromthe floor region, the three ears including a first floor ear configuredto be connected to the first side, a second floor ear configured to beconnected to the back, and a third floor ear configured to be connectedto the second side.
 6. The fort unit of claim 1, wherein the first panelincludes ears extending the front and the first side, the ear on thefirst side including releasable connectors for connection to the back.7. The fort unit of claim 1, wherein the roof section includes a firstroof section and a second roof section separated from the first roofsection by the hinging crease, wherein the first roof section includes afirst ear extending therefrom for releasably connecting the first roofsection to the first side, and wherein the second roof section includesa second ear extending therefrom for releasably connecting the secondroof section to the second side.
 8. The fort unit of claim 7, whereinthe first roof section includes a third ear extending therefrom forreleasably connecting the first roof section to the front, and whereinthe second roof section includes a fourth ear extending therefrom forreleasably connecting the second roof section to the back.
 9. The fortunit of claim 8, wherein the first, second third and fourth ears allinclude releasable connectors disposed thereon.
 10. An assembly for usein building a fort for children, the assembly comprising: a container; afirst panel comprising a front and a first side permanently joinedtogether and moveable relative to one another along a hinging crease; asecond panel comprising a back and a second side permanently joinedtogether and moveable relative to one another along a hinging crease;and a roof section, the roof section including a hinging crease thatallows the roof to fold; wherein the first panel is sized and configuredto be releasably joined to the second panel and the roof section issized and configured to be joined to the both the first and secondpanels; and wherein the first panel, the second panel and the roofsection are located in the container.
 11. The assembly of claim 10,wherein the first and second panels are formed of cardboard material.12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein when joined, the first and secondpanels define a footprint of a fort.
 13. The assembly of claim 10,further comprising: a floor sized to be releasably connected to thefirst and second sections, the floor having a floor region having a sameshape as a shape of the footprint; wherein the floor is located in thecontainer.
 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the floor includesthree ears extending outward from the floor region, the three earsincluding a first floor ear configured to be connected to the firstside, a second floor ear configured to be connected to the back, and athird floor ear configured to be connected to the second side.
 15. Theassembly of claim 10, wherein the first panel includes ears extendingthe front and the first side, the ear on the first side includingreleasable connectors for connection to the back.
 16. The assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the roof section includes a first roof section and asecond roof section separated from the first roof section by the hingingcrease, wherein the first roof section includes a first ear extendingtherefrom for releasably connecting the first roof section to the firstside, and wherein the second roof section includes a second earextending therefrom for releasably connecting the second roof section tothe second side.
 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the first roofsection includes a third ear extending therefrom for releasablyconnecting the first roof section to the front, and wherein the secondroof section includes a fourth ear extending therefrom for releasablyconnecting the second roof section to the back.
 18. The assembly ofclaim 17, wherein the first, second third and fourth ears all includereleasable connectors disposed thereon.